MPP Jagmeet Singh : National Democratic Party’s Sex Symbol

“A beard and a turban sometimes conjure up negative associations, but, if you see someone with a lime-coloured, bright orange, or pink turban, it disarms people’s stereotypical notions of this image and it disarms people from those stereotypes.”

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 28 – Brampton MPP and deputy Ontario NDP leader Jagmeet Singh at a news conference at Queen’s Park, October 28, 2015. Singh was reacting to the Liberal’s announcing the end of random and arbitrary carding by police forces across Ontario by the end of fall. Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The most stylish MPP at Queen’s Park is making a splash with the men’s style bible, GQ.

New Democrat MPP Jagmeet Singh has been profiled in the American magazine under the headline “the Incredibly Well-Dressed Rising Star in Canadian Politics.”

Singh, who represents Bramalea-Gore-Malton and is the NDP’s deputy leader, is featured in an interview that includes glitzy fashion shots of him posing in and around the Ontario Legislature.

Speaking to The Star from Vancouver, Singh said he was surprised when the magazine contacted him three weeks ago.

He said GQ apparently became aware of him through his social media feeds.

“I’m honoured by it,” the MPP said, emphasizing he’s “not into fashion for fashion’s sake,” but is grateful that his attention-grabbing style helps shine a light on the progressive causes he supports.

The GQ spread about Singh is published online, calling Singh “incredibly well-dressed rising star in Canadian politics.” In the interview, GQ asks, “Why should you care about a guy that represents a suburban district outside of Toronto?”

“Because rumour has it that Singh will soon make the jump into federal politics and run for leadership of the left-wing New Democratic Party of Canada, ready to take on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party government.”

As he has been in interviews with the Star, Singh is coy about if or when he will depart provincial politics for the snowier climes of Ottawa.

“That’s smooth,” he said with a laugh when the magazine writer asked if he sees himself “taking on Justin Trudeau in Canadian federal politics?”

“Well done. It’s something I’m considering. My name was initially put forward with, what I thought, was something of a fluke. I’m a provincial politician, so I didn’t think it was a serious thing,” the MPP said.

“I was honoured, but I thought the story would go away. Instead, it continued to build, and we recently received a lot of coverage, and, because of the support, I’ve been receiving, it is something I’ve given serious attention to.

“I haven’t decided yet.”

In the piece, Singh discusses serious issues such as racism, the deadly mosque attack in Quebec City, misogyny and his Sikh faith.

He notes his sartorial splendour and activity on social media, such as Instagram and Snapchat, are helpful as he tries to reach out to young people.

“Because I was considered stylish, with these colourful turbans and well-cut suits and showing myself as a confident person, I could use that as a tool to talk about things like unfairness, injustice, poverty, and inequality in the public sphere,” he said.

“A beard and a turban sometimes conjure up negative associations, but, if you see someone with a lime-coloured, bright orange, or pink turban, it disarms people’s stereotypical notions of this image and it disarms people from those stereotypes.”